Recently Google announced the
end of support for XMPP based
calling with Google Voice. This will happen on May 15, 2014 – that’s over 6
months from today. Since your OBi device uses XMPP to communicate with Google
servers, the end of support will directly impact how your OBi device can be
used with your Gmail account and its associated Google Voice phone number.Unfortunately, you will no longer be able to use
the Google Voice communication service to make calls using the phone connected
to your OBi device. Also, the ability to receive calls to your Google
Voice number, directly from Google’s service, will not be possible.

Fortunately, your OBi device may
be used with many Internet phone service providers – all providing very
low-cost calling to the USA, Canada and almost every country in the
world. Most offer subscriptions and pay-as-you-go plans starting from
$1.30 per month (including E911) and rates starting at 1 cent per minute to the
USA and Canada. The OBiTALK web portal can be used to easily configure an
account from any of these services on your OBi. Of course, OBi-to-OBi calls,
using the OBi number printed on the device, remain completely free.

Your OBi Will Continue to
Deliver Valuable Features and Awesome Savings

So, what does this mean if you
currently use a phone connected to an OBi device configured with your Gmail
account and the Google Voice service? First, your OBi will continue
working as it does today – with calls to your Google Voice number ringing the
phone and use of Google’s service for connecting calls to the numbers you dial.
Over the coming weeks, we will provide more detailed information, including
easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on how you can keep using your OBi
and your current phone number to keep your home phone bill extremely low, yet
retain the power and flexibility that comes from using the OBi and your choice
of services – even Google Voice.

Obihai, a leader in the VoIP
communications industry, will continue to invest in new innovations and
technology that will directly benefit the individuals, families and businesses
using Obihai products. Your OBi device is a very valuable investment and
our mission remains to help you save money, make it more convenient to stay
connected to your friends and family and ultimately empower you with greater
choices for communication.

Services and Service
Providers – Many to Choose From

Here is an alphabetical list of
some of the more popular Internet phone service providers that can be used with
your OBi device:

These service providers also
provide phone numbers from almost every North American area code – even
international phone numbers. They also offer number porting, so you can
keep your old phone number for use with your OBi. What’s more, most of
these service providers have E911 built-in to their calling plans. Also, you
have many choices as to how you want to pay for your service – Pay-as-you-go,
monthly, yearly subscriptions.

More information about using the
OBi with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) service can be found here.